Get a recovery package. Always an asset even if it is only a puncture that holds you up.
Last year a few of us met in Nottingham - along the A1. Andrew on his SR (Cambridgeshire/Beds??), Cynic on his TDR250 (Northhants) and me on my Suzi TS250 (Leicestershire). I guess that it will be much the same this year except I will probably be on one of my RD400's and there was talk of possibly other members meeting up with us too. It is well worth the trip, even if you ride half way the night before and book into a hotel.
2wheels comes over from Ireland - at least once on his DT125 and Blackhat rides down from Scotland. I don't know any Southern based members who could ride up with you.
There are a couple of videos of the Saturday rideout from Squires - on the Saturday - on my video wall. LINKY